# Al Blanchard — Jack Keefe Stories character guide > Al Blanchard in Jack Keefe Stories by Ring Lardner. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Florence, Al, Florrie, Allen, Al Florrie, honest Al, Florrie Al, aunt Allen, Dear Friend Al, Friend Al, Old Friend Al, Honest Al, little Al, Dear Old Al, Old Pal Al, Mrs. Allen, Poor Allen, Al . P.S. Callahan, Al Gleason, Al Comiskey **First appearance:** 0001-jack-keefe-stories ## Snapshot Jack's old pal back in Bedford, the patient ear on the other end of every letter, and the reader's only window into Jack's world. ## Who they are Al never speaks for himself; he exists as the recipient of Jack's confidences, the friend who knew him before the big leagues and will know him after. He is a ballplayer too, later a soldier, and Jack's need to impress him drives much of the boasting and self-justification. Without Al's silence, Jack's voice would have nowhere to perform. ## Relationships ### [Freddie Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/freddie_smith) _friendship_ Al and Freddie are close companions, frequently interacting and supporting each other in their social and professional circles. ### [Jack Keefe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/jack_keefe) _friendship_ Al and Jack share a strong camaraderie, frequently interacting as part of their shared social and baseball world. ### [Marie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/marie) _romantic_ Al and Marie have a romantic relationship, with Al showing affection and interest in Marie. ### [Eddie Cicotte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/eddie_cicotte) _professional_ Al and Eddie are baseball colleagues, interacting frequently as teammates or within the sport's environment. ### [Bertha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/bertha) _romantic_ Al and Bertha have a romantic involvement, with Bertha being a significant female figure in Al's life. ### [Kid Gleason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/kid_gleason) _professional_ Al and Kid Gleason have a professional relationship, likely as player and manager or coach. ### [Steve Evans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/steve_evans) _friendship_ Al and Steve are friends and teammates, sharing a bond through baseball and mutual acquaintances. ### [Jack Keefe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/jack_keefe) _friendship_ Al and Jack share a strong camaraderie, frequently interacting as part of their shared social and baseball world. ### [Freddie Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/freddie_smith) _friendship_ Al and Freddie are close companions, frequently interacting and supporting each other in their social and professional circles. ### [Kid Gleason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/kid_gleason) _professional_ Al and Kid Gleason have a professional relationship, likely as player and manager or coach. ### [Marie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/marie) _romantic_ Al and Marie have a romantic relationship, with Al showing affection and interest in Marie. ### [Steve Evans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/steve_evans) _friendship_ Al and Steve are friends and teammates, sharing a bond through baseball and mutual acquaintances. ## In the story ### [Jack Keefe Stories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/jack-keefe-stories) Jack's friend and correspondent, often referred to as Al. ### [A Busher's Letters Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/a-busher-s-letters-home) Jack's friend and the recipient of his letters, referred to as 'Al' throughout. ### [The Busher Comes Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-busher-comes-back) Jack's friend and recipient of his letters; mentioned throughout as 'Al'. ### [The Busher's Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-busher-s-honeymoon) Recipient of Jack's letters; Jack's old pal from Bedford. ### [A New Busher Breaks In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/a-new-busher-breaks-in) Jack's friend and recipient of his letters; referenced throughout as 'Al'. ### [The Busher's Kid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-busher-s-kid) Jack's friend and recipient of his letters, addressed as 'Al' throughout. ### [The Busher's Kid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-busher-s-kid) Jack's roommate and teammate, with whom he has a tense argument about finances and the baby. ### [The Busher's Kid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-busher-s-kid) Jack's wife, who disagrees with him about the baby's smile and cares for little Al. ### [The Busher Beats It Hence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-busher-beats-it-hence) Recipient of Jack's letters; Jack discusses his plans and the world tour with him. ### [The Busher Abroad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-busher-abroad) Jack's friend and correspondent, to whom he writes letters about his adventures abroad. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/ii) Jack's friend and recipient of the letters. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/iii) Friend to whom Jack writes; mentioned as recipient of the letter. ### [The Busher's Welcome Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-busher-s-welcome-home) Jack's friend and recipient of his letters; mentioned as 'Al' throughout. ### [Call for Mr. Keefe!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/call-for-mr-keefe) Recipient of Jack's letters; referred to as 'Friend Al' throughout. ### [Call for Mr. Keefe!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/call-for-mr-keefe) Jack's wife; mentioned as spending money and later running a successful business. ### [Jack the Kaiser Killer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/jack-the-kaiser-killer) Jack's friend and the recipient of his letters. ### [Corporal Punishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/corporal-punishment) Florrie is Jack's wife. She visits him at Camp Grant with their son little Al, bringing homemade food. Jack worries about leaving her and the baby behind. ### [Purls Before Swine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/purls-before-swine) Recipient of Jack's letters; referred to as 'Friend Al' throughout. ### [Private Valentine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/private-valentine) Recipient of Jack's letters, referred to as 'Friend Al'. ### [Private Valentine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/private-valentine) Jack's wife, mentioned as Florrie. ### [Strategy and Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/stragety-and-tragedy) Jack's friend and confidant, to whom he writes about Pershing's visit and his troubles with Ernestine. ### [Sammy Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/sammy-boy) Recipient of Jack's letters, referred to as 'Friend Al'. ### [Simple Simon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/simple-simon) Jack's friend and confidant; the letters are addressed to him. ### [The Busher Reenlists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-busher-reenlists) Jack's friend and recipient of his letters. ### [The Battle of Texas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-battle-of-texas) Recipient of Jack's letters; mentioned as 'Friend Al' throughout. ### [The Battle of Texas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-battle-of-texas) Jack's wife; surprises him at the hotel before the opening game, arranged by Gleason. ### [Along Came Ruth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/along-came-ruth) Jack's friend and confidant to whom the letters are addressed. ### [The Courtship of T. Dorgan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/chapters/the-courtship-of-t-dorgan) The recipient of Jack's letters, referred to as 'Friend Al'. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters/al_blanchard - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jack_keefe_stories_se/characters